The Showdown: NYSSA
The Friday we waited for had come, finally. I was more than happy while waitin’ back at home for the evidence we needed against the man. Kazmir, who waited with me, had informed the police in advance so that we were not tagged as suspects when the time came. In fact, he ensured that two armed men who were police officers, stayed around the company while in wait.
“Has she called already?” I looked at ‘im, shakin’ my head. “We don’t need to disturb her yet, or one of the officers but let’s wait.”
He nodded in approval.
Accordin’ to ‘im, there was no way we would take a risk. I relaxed my back on the chair, waitin’ for the call.
If there was anythin’ I cared ’bout, it was the safety of Stella. There was no way I would choose the documents over the woman even though it was a matter of urgency.
“Chill out,” someone touched my back from behind. “I understand that you’re scared for the life of the young lady. If she says she can do it, then she can do it. I believe so.” He was still pattin’ my back and I was givin’ ‘im a nod, smilin’ also.
It was past an hour and there was no call from this lady. Now I paced the livin’ room, scared for even my life. What were the police officers doin’?
Nothin’!
Why have they not reached out to me yet? I wondered with a sigh runnin’ out of my mouth as I turned around to see that the man I am married to was comin’ down the stairs.
“I have reached out to the policemen-” he caught up with the livin’ room and said these words.
“I hear that the woman is yet to strike. This is only ’cause Theodore is yet to leave the company and they are hangin’ around in wait for ‘im.”
Takin’ a seat on the couch, I did the same and heaved a sigh. It was only early in the mornin’, after all. What was I thinkin’ and expectin’?
“Very much better,” I said to the man who hugged me to himself. “I can’t help but be worried, especially when it is ’cause of us she is doin’ all of these.” I was still speakin’ when my phone beeped, and I looked at its screen to see a call from Stella who must have some information. “One moment, Kazmir. It’s Stella.”
He adjusted on the couch. I did the same and picked up the call. “What’s up?” Askin’, I smiled. “Has he left already? I’ve been waitin’ for your call since this mornin’. You got me worried.”
“I am sorry, Mrs. Draven. But Mr. Crowley has been around since I arrived at work. He only left a few moments ago. I have checked around to confirm that the policemen are around just as you said and now that I am sure, I am on my way to do what we’ve been waitin’ for all our lives.”
“Great, so what are we waitin’ for?”
“I attack a bit,” she explained to me, who nodded. “Give me some time to attack, ma’am.” A door shut and she added to it. “I’m headed to the elevator.”
We waited for some time and there came a sound. I didn’t have to ask before understandin’ this was the elevator, and I patiently waited for a signal before endin’ the call. It was time, finally. “She’s on her way. Did you even hear that?” I looked at Kazmir who gave a nod, smilin’ and relaxin’ once more.
It took the next hour for a call from one of the policemen to call. Kazmir, at the sound of his phone, jumped to his feet. “Yes, I can hear you,” he said and turned on the phone’s speaker. “Do you have an update already? Is there a clash?”
“Not at all, Mr. Draven. There is good news. The woman has retrieved the document and fortunately, there’s a wrap in it. Isn’t that good news enough?” The sound of his words caused myself and the man I am married to, jumpin’ on our feet and holdin’ back ourselves from laughin’ too much.
“What is the next thing?”
It was me who raised the question. Kazmir looked at me, then at the screen of the phone – throwin’ the same question at the man who was yet to say somethin’.
“You and your wife can make it to the company, Mr. Draven,” he said. “I’m sure you know your way here or do you need one of my men to come pick you up? I’m sure the security men you employed will brin’ you to us in safety, that’s if the dreaded man and his men are out for you.”
The policeman was still tryin’ to explain and I was hurtin’ through the stairs so that I could get dressed for a moment we’ve all waited for – although it seemed to me as a dream.
In less than half an hour, I was all ready for this. I didn’t dress too much, in case I needed to run at the end of everythin’. What if this is also a trap? I didn’t hesitate to voice out my thoughts to Kazmir who strongly disagreed with it.
“I know they’re doin’ their jobs, Nyssa,” he mouthed and I nodded. “Are you ready?” Now he asked me who nodded, walkin’ to the door. “Let’s get goin’ already. I want to see to the end of this before doin’ what I have to do.” He was mouthin’ these words and many more when I caught up with the entrance of the livin’ room.
Into the car, we hopped.
He started the engine after openin’ the gate and we drove out of the compound, headin’ to the entrance of the Estate with another car behind us. The car contained a few men whose hands our lives were in, and now we were drivin’ through the streets.
It didn’t take long for us to catch up with the area where the company was located. I took out my phone and dialed Stella’s contact. “Are you okay?” I asked before anythin’, announcin’ next. “We are at the gate of the company. Where are the policemen?”
“We are on our way, Mrs. Draven,” a man said from the background. “We can’t stay around the company so that the man is not called and told ’bout our presence, hence a reason to run away from his punishment.” She explained to me who gave a nod, lookin’ behind our car to be certain that the escort came with us.
“They’re on their way,” I said to Kazmir who nodded. “But how can they come when the man is yet to be here? Won’t he still suspect?” I wasn’t done speakin’ when a hand knocked on the window.
I turned to look, and so did Kazmir who mouthed words. “Come on in, young men,” from his seat area, he opened the back doors and they all hopped in: Stella and two other men, and one of them had a document in his hand. “Thank you for comin’.”
“All we have to do is wait for the man to show up,” the other man without the document explained. “I have my gun and the place is also surrounded. He’ll be arrested as soon as he gets here. The least we can do is be patient and give it some time. Well done, Miss Stella.” He looked at the younger lady who smiled, noddin’.
“Well done, Stella. You have done nothin’ but a good job,” Kazmir hailed from where he was seated. With aid from the front mirror, I met her gaze from behind and gave her a nod. What would we have done without this lady? All I wanted was to give her a hug and maybe, take her on a shoppin’ spree.